Perhaps you have noticed that the bust of politician Victor Leydet is back on its plinth at the Place Jeanne d’Arc, next to the Rotonde? It was put back there on 18th December, 110 years to the day from its inauguration.
So who was Victor Leydet and what is the story of this statue?
Born in Aix in 1845, he went to school at what is now the college Mignet before finding work as a shop assistant in town. He was soon running a local business dealing in almonds, oils and drinks, and married Louise Lucie Ely, sister of well-known Aix photographer Henri Ely – their premises are still in the Passage Agard. He became involved in politics becoming adjoint au maire d’Aix, conseiller général, député and sénateur in Paris.
Back in 1879, Leydet bought 40 rue Villeverte, now named rue Victor Leydet, where his descedants still live.
When he died in Paris in 1908, sculptor Auguste Carli was commissioned to create a monument to him in his home town. Unfortunately this was requisitioned in 1942 by the Vichy regime under orders from the Nazis who were seizing metals for use in armaments. It was replaced in 1951 by a marble bust from the Leydet tomb at the cimetière Saint-Pierre. After decades in place, this bust was moved in 2012 when the area around the Rotonde was renovated.
A new version in bronze has been created and that’s what we can see today. There was no ceremony – that will have to wait until it’s safe to celebrate the statue and the life of Victor Leydet. Thanks to Dympna for sending details and photos to Aixcentric.
aixcentric 
Interesting history lesson. Thanks, Lynne.
I just wish there were women on some of these plinths….but when I wrote my book on Aix, I tried really hard to find some women to celebrate but it was difficult, a reflection on the times they lived in I guess.